Statement by the Canadian Network On Cuba, October 2nd, 2014
Much bile has been spilled in the Canadian media
condemning Cuba regarding the conviction and sentencing of Toronto businessman
Cy Tokmakjian and two of his executives (Claudio Vetere and Marco Puche) for
corruption, bribery and suborning of Cuban officials, Under Cuba law they were
convicted of acts “that are contrary to the principles and ethics that should
characterize commercial activity, and contravene the Cuban judicial order.” Of
course, it is within the legitimate purview of anyone to question the
correctness of the outcome of any judicial process, however, some other motives
and motifs appear to be guiding the Globe & Mail, CBC, Toronto Sun,
Financial Post, CTV and others. While articles in the monopoly media denounce
the conviction on the basis of “lack of due process” and “unfairness”, this is
an uniformed statement since in fact the trial went to great lengths to ensure
that everything was done by the book. Most importantly, however, is that none
of the media who accuse Cuba of lack of due process even attempt to address the
question of whether Tomakjian actually engaged in corrupt activities.
Indeed, the conclusion they draw is that it is
the Cuban government – and by extension the Cuban Revolution – that has shown
itself to be corrupt. Peter Foster (Peter Foster: Risky business in Cuba,
Financial Post, September 30, 2014) goes so far as to chastise Tomakjian for
not realizing that he “was operating in a corrupt system that could turn on him
at any time…” What disappears by sleight of hand is the guilt or innocence of
Tomakijan and the fundamental issue that in Cuba the bribery of officials to
gain favours in the course of business relations will not be tolerated. This is
what the Canadian media accusing Cuba of lack of due process seem to be most
upset about.
This case has been going on for three years and
throughout that period the response of the Canadian monopoly media to the
Tomakjian case is not to investigate what precisely he did, despite the fact
that the trial brought out all the facts. To assert that the very fact that
Cuba tried and convicted him is proof that it is Cuba that is the corrupt party
is irrational to say the least. It reveals that Tomakjian’s guilt or innocence
is not the central issue.
The temerity of Cuba to allege that members of
the Canadian business class might actually engage in practices that are
dishonest and unscrupulous is unacceptable, according to those accusing
Cuba.
The media's claim is that nobody's investment
will be safe in Cuba because Cuba is corrupt and will arbitrarily and
self-servingly seize the assets of any investor. This is balderdash and the
media know it. As does Mr. Kent, a former Harper government cabinet minister,
who has also been making wild accusations against Cuba.
To try to defame Cuba's defense of its economy
and way of life and opposition to corruption through the vile slander the media
are currently engaged in is a thinly veiled attempt to bring Cuba to its knees
by sowing doubt about its treatment of foreign investors. All who have invested
in Cuba and have been honest have received a very good return on their
investment. Ask all the companies that participated in building the tourist
industry, or Sherrit International, which has invested in oil, gas and nickel
since 1992.
Tomarkjian was found guilty and sentenced
according to the laws of Cuba, as were all others found guilty in the same
case. Let the substantive issues be dealt with, which is Cuba's right to engage
in honest business relations with all countries and its right to defend its
laws and demand ethical behaviour from those with whom it engages in business
relations.
The guilt or innocence of Cy Tomakjian aside, the
intensive Cuban anti-corruption campaign has resulted not only in the
conviction of foreign businessmen but also Cuban government officials and
representatives. Havana is exercising its sovereign right to defend its
national economy and nation-building project from both internal and external
sabotage.
It bears noting that for any country to try to
cope with and overcome the current worldwide economic crisis in a manner that
favours its people, not the global monopolies, is no small feat. This is all
the more true for a country such as Cuba that is subjected to a brutal
all-sided economic war from the United States. Cuba’s efforts in this regard
are reflected in the latest United Nation’s Human Development Report. These
annual reports are recognized as the most comprehensive and extensive
determination of the well being of the world's peoples. Cuba was ranked among
the nations with Very High Development. In short, Cuba is a country that
effectively uses its very modest resources for the benefit of its
citizens.
Perhaps, those who accuse Cuba of being a corrupt
society should take note that more than 55- years ago the Cuban people closed
down all the mafia-run casinos and ended the U.S. supported Batista regime; a
regime that had permitted the impoverishment of the majority of Cubans and the
corruption of all of Cuban life. It also bears noting that this year will be
the twenty-third consecutive year that the United Nations rejects the U.S.
economic blockade of Cuba, which is illegal and extraterritorial, and violates
even Canadian law.
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